The following molecule is a cerebroside. What characteristics does this molecule have?
A) The molecule has a sphingosine backbone and a galactose sugar.
B) The molecule has a glycerol backbone and a galactose sugar.
C) The molecule contains an amine.
D) The molecule has a sphingosine backbone and a glucose sugar.
E) The molecule has a glycerol backbone and a glucose sugar.

Question

The following molecule is a cerebroside. What characteristics does this molecule have? 
A) The molecule has a sphingosine backbone and a galactose sugar. 
B) The molecule has a glycerol backbone and a galactose sugar. 
C) The molecule contains an amine. 
D) The molecule has a sphingosine backbone and a glucose sugar. 
E) The molecule has a glycerol backbone and a glucose sugar.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cerebrosides are a type of glycosphingolipid that have a sphingosine backbone and a single sugar molecule attached, which is typically a galactose or glucose. This molecule in particular has a galactose sugar attached to the sphingosine backbone, making choice A the correct answer. The presence of an amine is not specific to cerebrosides and is not a defining characteristic. Choice B (glycerol backbone) and choice D (glucose sugar) are incorrect because cerebrosides have a sphingosine backbone and typically have a galactose sugar. Choice E (glycerol backbone and glucose sugar) is also incorrect for the same reason.

The Following Molecule Is a Cerebroside